177^. ROUND THE WORLD. 211 



that Tasman calls the washing -place for the king and 

 his nobles. 



From hence we were conducted down to the shore 

 of Maria bay, or N. E. side of the isle ; where, in a 

 boat-house, was shewn to us a fine large double canoe 

 not yet launched. The old chief did not fail to make 

 us sensible it belonged to himself. Night now ap- 

 proaching, we took leave of him and returned on 

 board, being conducted by Attago down to the water 

 side. 



Mr. Forster and his party spent the day in the 

 country botanising ; and several of the officers were 

 out shooting. All of them were very civilly treated 

 by the natives. We had also a brisk trade for bana- 

 noes, cocoa-nuts, yams, pigs, and fowls ; all of which 

 were procured for nails, and pieces of cloth. A boat 

 from each ship was employed trading ashore, and 

 bringing off their cargoes as soon as they were laden, 

 which was generally in a short time. By this method 

 we got cheaper, and with less trouble, a good quan- 

 tity of fruit, as well as other refreshments, from peo- 

 ple who had no canoes to carry them off to the ships. 



Pretty early in the morning on the 5th, my friend 

 brought me a hog and some fruit ; for which I gave 

 him a hatchet, a sheet, and some red cloth. The 

 pinnace was sent ashore to trade as usual ; but soon 

 returned. The officer informed me that the natives 

 were for taking every thing out of the boat, and, in 

 other respects, w T ere very troublesome. The day 

 before, they stole the grappling at the time the boat 

 was riding by it, and carried it off undiscovered. I 

 now judged it necessary to have a guard on shore, to 

 protect the boats and people whose business required 

 their being there ; and accordingly sent the marines, 

 under the command of Lieutenant Edgcumbe. Soon 

 after, I went myself, with my friend Attago, Captain 

 Furneaux, and several of the gentlemen. At lauding, 

 we found the old chief, who presented me with a pig. 

 After this, Captain Furneaux and I took a walk into 



p 2 



